Farmlands Trail – Kejimkujik National Park
Difficulty: Easy (gradual elevation ascent of 40m). Infrastructure: Parking. Signage: 4 information panels which narrate a guided cultural & natural history of the area. Features: 1.5 km (30-minute) semi-looped hike up a drumlin to a plateau, the site of a 19th-century farm. Categories: #Backcountry,
Johnson River Falls
Difficulty: Moderate (rugged, muddy terrain). View elevation profile. Facilities: Parking. Signage: Trail map at the trailhead. Interpretive panels on local natural features. Features: 4.2km (1hr) up & back. 10ft high waterfall & scenic river gorge. Biodiversity: Tamarack Trees, Pickerel Frog, Snowshoe Hare, Eastern White
Lake William Trail
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (Hills). View elevation profile. Facilities: Parking. Signage: Trail map at the trailhead. Interpretive panels on local natural features. Features: 5km loose gravel trail. Scenic pedestrian bridge. Hilly terrain, winding through wetlands & alongside Lake William. Still under construction with
Gaetz Brook Greenway
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (Distance). Facilities: Dedicated parking lots. Signage: Trail maps on info panels at main entry points. Interpretive panels on local nature & cultural history. Features: 7.4km compacted crusher dust trail. Converted railway with no significant
Webber Lake Falls
Difficulty: Easy (some navigation challenges). Facilities: None. Signage: None (some flagging & markings). Features: A short hike with a waterfall, lake access & scenic forest. Categories: #Easy, #Family-Friendly, #Fishing, #Lake, #Loop, #River, #Short, #Snowshoeing, #Swimming, #Waterfall Webber Lake Falls Hiking Trails Webber Lake Falls
Martinique Beach Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (Distance). Facilities: Parking, bathrooms, large picnic areas, on-site surf rentals & lessons. Signage: Minimal. Features: The province's longest sand beach (5km). Lifeguard supervised (July & August). Biodiversity: Bar Clam | Red Fox | Piping Plovers | More
Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park
Difficulty: Moderate (terrain). View: hiking stats & elevation profile. Facilities: Parking, washrooms, change rooms, large picnic areas, on-site surf rentals & lessons. Signage: Minimal, adequate, sparse signage along the coastal hiking trail. Features: 1.5km sand beach, supervised on weekends (July 1-
McNabs Island Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy - Difficult (Distance). Elevation profile. Facilities: Covered picnic area, toilets, and benches throughout. Signage: Info kiosk, signposts with maps and distances marked at every key juncture. Features: 400 hectares of wilderness with over 20km of hiking trails.
The Dynamite Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (Distance/Inclines) Elevation profile. Facilities: Parking & benches. Signage: Map kiosks, kilometer markers & basic info. Features: 11km (one way) section of the Rum Runners Trail which extends from Halifax to Luneburg (123km). Scenic Railway bridges with lofty
West Dover Provincial Park
Difficulty: Difficult (Terrain, Navigation). Facilities: Large parking lot. No garbage cans or other facilities (pack out what you pack in). Signage: None. Features: 5km (2.5hr return trip) or 1.5km (1-hour return trip) directly to a scenic bench. Rugged, narrow, natural
Pennant River Conservation Lands
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Terrain, Navigation). Facilities: (Minimal) Parking. Signage: None. Features: 3.2km, 1hr return trip to "Grand Lake Run". Rugged, narrow, un-marked trails. Popular swimming hole with plenty of scenic access points. Biodiversity: Gaspereau | American Mink | Bunchberry |
Castle Rock Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (Distance, terrain, elevation). Elevation profile. Facilities: Parking, garbage cans, picnic table & bike lock rack. Signage: Excellent. Maps, info & markings throughout. Features: 9.3km (~3hr) return trip on foot, including 6km along bicycle-friendly rails-to-trails. Easy to navigate with 3
Jack Lake Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (terrain). Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: 3.5km (1hr) return trip to Jack Lake. Easy to navigate along an old logging road. Rugged, wet, muddy terrain dotted with rocky features & old-growth trees. Biodiversity: Barred Owl | Pitcher
Nine Mile River Trails
Difficulty: Easy - Difficult (Distance). Elevation profile. Facilities: Parking, benches. Signage: Excellent. Features: Up to 10km (~3-4hrs), with options as short as 1km. Easy to navigate with excellent signage & trail construction. Remote wilderness with unreliable cell phone coverage. Tags: #Backcountry,
Gaff Point Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (distance & rugged terrain). 7.5km (~2.5hrs). Relatively flat elevation profile. Facilities: Parking, benches, and toilets. Signage: Minimal, adequate trail signage with an info panel at the trailhead. Features: One of the province's best beaches followed by a looped coastal
The Atlantic View Trail
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Distance). Facilities: Parking, picnic areas, beach, benches, and toilets. Signage: Minimal. Features: Less than 10km (~1hr by bike) one way. Access to Lawrencetown Beach. Scenic coastal, rails-to-trails. Part of an extensive route from Shearwater to Musquodoboit. Biodiversity:
The Rum Runners Trail
Difficulty: Difficult (distance). Facilities: Parking lots, picnic tables, benches, public beaches & parks. Signage: Minimal, info kiosks at each section's trailhead. Features: 123km route connecting Halifax to Lunenburg. Converted railway with compacted crusher dust base (except paved Chain Of Lakes Trail). Scenic
The Aspotogan Trail
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (distance). Facilities: Parking, picnic tables, benches. Signage: Minimal, info kiosks at trailheads. Features: Multi-Use #Rails-To-Trails with compacted crusher dust base. A 13km section of the 123km Rum Runners Trail that connects Halifax to Lunenburg. Access to Noonan Lake,
Nichols Lake Trail
Difficulty: Moderate. Facilities: Parking. Signage: None. Features: Picturesque cascade waterfall hike, doable in as little as 1 hour. Small sandy beach, pristine lakes, and rivers. Biodiversity: Loon | Osprey | Striped Skunk | More
Crowbar Lake Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Difficult (terrain, hills, navigation). Facilities: Parking. Signage: Sparse trail markers, little-to-no signage. Features: Challenging hike with rewarding scenery. Various trails and loops extending 18km+. Categories: #Backcountry, #Lake, #Long Distance, #Old-Growth. Crowbar Lake Trails Part of the much larger Waverley
Victoria Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (distance, hills). Facilities: Parking, canteen, pool, restrooms, bandstand, picnic areas, playground. Signage: Interpretive panels, maps, and trail markings throughout. Features: Over 1000 acres to explore. Family-friendly destination with public pool (closed for upgrades), splash pad &
Uniacke Estate Museum Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (distance). Facilities: Parking, toilets, picnic tables, tea room, estate museum. Signage: Interpretive panels and trail markings. Features: 930 hectares with 7 hiking trails. Estate Museum open daily until 5pm June 1-Oct. 5 (admission under $5). Park
Taylor Head Provincial Park
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (Terrain/Distance). Facilities: Parking, outhouses, covered picnic areas, and benches. Signage: Information kiosks, interpretive panels, map, and trail markers throughout. Features: Over 20km of coastline with 15km of hiking trails. Day-Use park with days worth of adventures.
Susies Lake – Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (Navigation/Terrain). Facilities: None. (Pack out what you pack in & Leave No Trace.) Signage: Little-to-none. Occasional "wilderness area" signs. Unmarked trails. Features: Part of the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. Popular, scenic "Flagpole Hill" lookoff
SS Atlantic Heritage Park
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Interpretive Center/Museum with refreshments (Open May-October). Lots of benches and picnic tables. Coastal boardwalk. Small sand beach nearby. Signage: Interpretive panels and info throughout. Habitat: Blue-Eyed Grass | Sunburst Lichen | Common Yarrow |
Shubie Park
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Visitor's center, boat rentals, canteen, campground, benches, bathrooms. Signage: Interpretive panels and trail signage throughout. Features: Fully equipped campground. Paddling destination with on-site rentals. Off-leash dog area. Categories: #Bird-Watching, #Camping, #Dog-Friendly, #Off-Leash, #Historic-Site, #Paddling, #Park, #Paved, #Picnic, #Playground, #Wheelchair-Accessible,
Sandy Lake Park
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (distance/navigation). Facilities: Parking Lot, Beach, Change rooms/Bathrooms, picnic area, and beach volleyball court. Signage: Minimal. Features: Supervised beach. Change room & bathroom facilities. Popular dog-friendly park with off-leash trails (see rules below). Biodiversity: Sackville River Watershed | American
The Salt Marsh Trail
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (distance). View the elevation profile here. Facilities: Parking, Toilets, Benches, Dog Bags, Garbage Cans. Signage: Information kiosks at trailheads, interpretive panels, and other signage. Categories: #Biking, #Bird-Watching, #Bridge, #Coastal, #Picnic, #Rails-To-Trails, #Wetlands. Salt Marsh Trail Guide
Sackville Lakes Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Distance). Facilities: Parking, garbage cans, dog bag dispensers, toilets. Signage: Information kiosks at trailheads, periodically posted maps. Features: Access points to both First & Second Lake. Accessible trails & facilities. Wide, smooth, crusher dust pathways.
St. Margarets Bay Trail
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (distance). Facilities: Access to parking, parks, and beaches. Signage: Map and info at trailheads, minimal signage. Features: 32km stretch of the 123km Rum Runners Trail. Access to public parks and beaches along the route. Categories: #Beach, #Biking,
The Purcells Cove Backlands
Difficulty: Difficult (Navigation/Terrain/Hills/Distance). Facilities: None. Signage: Only via McIntosh Run Trails & Shaw Wilderness Park, other trails unmarked. Features: 1350 hectares of highly unique landscapes and ecosystems. A top-notch mountain biking and hiking location without leaving the city. Categories:
Polly’s Cove Hiking Trails
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (Terrain/Navigation). Click to view the elevation profiles for the Basin Trail & Loop Trail. Facilities: Minimal parking. Signage: None. Categories: #Coastal, #Bird-Watching, #Hiking, #Lookoff. Polly's Cove Guide Polly's Cove will encompass you with memorably striking scenery
Point Pleasant Park
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (distance). Facilities: Bathrooms, parking, benches & picnic areas. Signage: Information kiosks, maps interpretive panels, and trail signage. Features: Off-leash trails. Centuries-old fortifications. Open to cyclists (restrictions on weekends/holidays). Open-air theatre in summer. Categories: #Park, #Dog-Friendly, #Biking,
Pockwock Falls
Difficulty: Moderate (Rugged Terrain/Unmarked Trails). Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: Part of a 1900 hectare wilderness area. A short 3km (~1hr) return trip to a scenic waterfall. Requires caution; live hunting traps and snares are sometimes in the area.
Peggy’s Cove
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, Visitor Centre, Benches, Restaurants, Gallery/Museum (Open May-Oct). Signage: Interpretive panels, signage, and maps. Features: Tourism-focused shops & facilities. On-site chartered boat tours. Habitat: Leatherback Turtle | Right Whale | Aplite Granite | More
McIntosh Run Singletrack Trails
Difficulty: Easy - Difficult (Terrain, Distance). Facilities: None. Signage: Marked with signposts throughout with maps at trailheads and on select signposts. Features: 15km of trails, stretching from Spryfield to Herring Cove. Designed by, and for mountain bikers, with hikers equally
Musquodoboit Trailway
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (distance/elevation/terrain). Facilities: Parking Lot, sheltered picnic areas, toilets. Signage: Trailhead information kiosk, map, trail markers. Features: 5 different wilderness hiking trails. 15km multi-use, rails-to-trails spine trail. Spectacular views from various lookoff points. Categories: #Backcountry, #Biking,
McIntosh Run Community Trail
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (length). Facilities: Dedicated parking lot off of Herring Cove Rd. Signage: Map at trailhead. Features: Less than 2-hour return trip. Various access points to the water throughout. Wetland area, ideal for urban bird-watching Habitat: Beaver
McDonald Sports Park
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Length, hills). Facilities: Picnic Areas, Portable Toilets, Parking. Signage: Maps & signage throughout. Features: 6km of maintained trails for hiking, biking & groomed cross-country skiing. Tags: #Biking #Dog-Friendly #Mountain-Biking #Park #Picnic #Skiing #Snowshoeing McDonald Sports Park - Something
Mainland North Trail
Difficulty: Easy (some hills) Facilities: Parking, benches, garbage cans. Signage: Trail signs at most major intersections with distance info (in KM's). Features: 4km linear, multi-use trail. Compacted crusher dust surface. Direct & nearby access to many different parks, playgrounds, trails
Halifax Mainland Common Park
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, toilet, covered picnic tables & water-dispensing rain barrels. Signage: Info panels & maps. Features: Off-leash dog trails & fields. 1km loop trail with bog lookoff (great for birdwatching). 1km of unmaintained nature trails. Connects to
MacCormacks Beach Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, shops, visitor's centre, covered picnic tables, benches & public washroom. Signage: Interpretive panel about Devil's Island & other basic info. Features: 1.2km boardwalk loop with beach access points. A vibrant waterfront with unique shops & restaurants. Popular launch
Long Lake Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy - Difficult (distance/terrain/navigation). Facilities: Parking, toilet, bike racks, paddling launch & equipment rentals. Signage: Minimal. Mostly along the Lakeview Trail. Features: 5km semi-looped Lakeview Trail with wide, compacted crusher dust base. Over 2000 hectares of wilderness with a few unmarked
Mill Falls & Beech Grove Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (distance) Setting: Riverside, Waterfalls, Old-Growth Forest. Facilities: Parking, Picnic Shelter, Benches, Outhouse. Features: 1.3km (linear) Mill Falls trail connected to Beech Grove trail (2km loop) via a bridge with scenic views of the Mersey River. Biodiversity: Drumlin |
Hemlocks and Hardwoods Hiking Trail – Kejimkujik National Park
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate (distance). Facilities: Parking, bike racks, outhouse. Signage: Interpretive signage throughout. Features: 5km loop trail (allow 2 hours). Boardwalk for over half of the trail makes for easy walking with very few ups and downs. Hemlock
Keji Hiking Trails – Grafton Woods
Difficulty: Easy. Setting: Diverse forest and wetlands. Facilities: Parking, bike rack. Signage: Minimal. Features: Two 1.6km loops. Dense Hemlock & Pine Forest. Lush #wetland views. Biodiversity: Eastern Hemlock | Bulrush | White Pine Categories: #Hiking-Short #Bird-Watching #Kejimkujik #Lake #Wetlands Grafton Woods Trail Grafton woods
Gold Mine Trail – Kejimkujik National Park
Difficulty: Easy. Setting: Forest, old gold mining pits. Facilities: Parking Signage: Interpretive panels and displays throughout. Tags: #Hiking-Short #Historic-Site #Kejimkujik GPS Files | Maps & Resources - How To. A short 3km (Approximately 1 hour) hike. Flies & ticks can be bad. Fully interpretive trail with
Flowing Waters Hiking Trail – Kejimkujik National Park
Difficulty: Easy. Features: Forest, 1km looped trail following the Mersey River & adjacent wetlands. No bikes allowed. Facilities: Parking, Bike Rack, Picnic Table. Signage: Interpretive panels, minimal signage. Biodiversity: Brook Trout | American Crow | Green Frog Categories: #Short #Kejimkujik #River #Wetlands GPS Files
Kejimkujik National Park
Difficulty: Easy - Difficult (destination dependent). Facilities: Parking, canoe rental, washrooms, food, campsites, showers, supervised beach, sky observatory, visitor center. Signage: Excellent signage, trail markers & information panels throughout. Features: Nova Scotia's top camping destination. Accommodates adventures large and small. On-site
Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes: Kearney Lake Trails
Difficulty: Difficult (Terrain/Navigation). Facilities: None. Signage: Minimal markings & signage. Periodically posted trail maps. Features: Part of the extensive Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. Rugged, unmarked #Backcountry trail system for experienced hikers. Trails encompass Charlies, Fox, Ash & Hobsons
Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park
How-To Guide Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, Fishing Piers, Toilets, Covered Picnic Areas, Charcoal BBQ Pits. Signage: Sparse but adequate. Features: Open Victoria Day (May) to October. Accessible to people of all abilities. Drive-up picnic spots & accessible fishing piers. Connects
Hobsons Lake Trail, Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (Terrain/Navigation). Facilities: None. Signage: Unmarked trails with occasional signage and maps (sparse). Features: 3-hour roundtrip loop or 40min up-and-back to Hobson's Lake. Scenic cascade waterfall along Hobson Brook. Part of the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness, and
High Head Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Moderate (Terrain/Distance). Facilities: None. Signage: Interpretive panels at the trailhead. Features: 30 minutes from downtown Halifax. Iconic Nova Scotia coastal hiking. Spectacular sunsets. Sensitive nature reserve (tread lightly). Tags: #Bird-Watching, #Coastal, #Nature-Reserve, #Hiking, #Peninsula. High Head Hiking Trail If you’ve ever
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Difficulty: Moderate (rugged, rocky & wet terrain). Up to 2km (~1hr) return trip. Facilities: Parking, Benches, Paved Lookoff area. Signage: None Features: Scenic parking area with a rugged, unmarked coastline trail. Expansive ocean views throughout. A great place to watch shipping traffic
Hemlock Ravine Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (hills). Elevation profile. Infrastructure: Parking lot, garbage cans, benches, wide trails with crusherdust base. Signage: Trail signage throughout (little-to-none on Ravine Trail), maps at entrances & key intersections. Features: #Bird-Watching, #Biking, #Bus-Access, #Dog-Friendly, #Family-Friendly, #Historic-Site, #Loop, #Off-Leash,
Fox Lake Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Difficult (Terrain/Hills/Navigation). View the trail elevation profile. Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: 2-3 hour return trip. Connects to a broader range of trails in the Kearney Lake trail system. Hilly, rugged & unmarked trails for experienced hikers. Plenty of great
Sir Sandford Fleming Park
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, Bathrooms, Playground, Picnic Areas, Public Wharf & Boat Launch. Signage: Excellent - Interpretive panels and other posted info. Features: Popular Northwest Arm waterfront destination. Great views from (and of) the Memorial Tower (Open May-Nov. 9am-3pm daily). A family-friendly picnic park with plenty to
Duncan’s Cove Nature Reserve
Difficulty: Moderate (Terrain, Distance). Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: One of Halifax's most scenic coastal hikes. Part of a sensitive nature reserve (tread lightly). Up to 8km return trip (3-4hrs). Categories: #Coastal, #Lookoff, #Hiking, #NatureReserve, #Bird-Watching. GPS Map Files |
Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park
Difficulty: Difficult (Length/Terrain/Navigation). Facilities: Parking, outhouses. Signage: None. Features: Over 11km of stunningly beautiful, rugged coastal hiking. Unmarked trails, rocky coastal dangers & rapidly changing weather require preparation. Sensitive coastal ecosystem demands you stay on trail & Leave No Trace. Habitat:
Shaw Wilderness Park
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (Navigation, Terrain, Distance). Facilities: Parking. Signage: Trail markers for main trail, little signage. Features: Ecologically diverse landscape. 153 hectares of urban wilderness with access to 2 lakes. Unique vistas of downtown Halifax. Borders the MacIntosh Run Singletrack
Cole Harbour Heritage Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (distance, hills). Facilities: Parking lot, toilets, benches & lost & found. Signage: Map at the front kiosk. Well-signed trails with marked distances. Features: 400 acres with 7 looped, accessible trails. Wide-open spaces with scenic views. Heritage
Chain Of Lakes Trail
Difficulty: Easy (distance-dependant). Elevation profile. Facilities: Parking & porta-potty in Bayers Lake. Signage: Interpretive panel at First Chain Lake, kilometer markers & distance signage. Features: The longest paved trail in Halifax (7.3km). Maintained in winter. Access to Chain Lake Park.
Chebucto Head
Difficulty: Moderate (rugged terrain) Setting: Coastal barrens, lighthouse, nature reserve. Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: Iconic Nova Scotia coastal beauty with lighthouse and foghorn navigation aids for ships entering Halifax Harbour. Access road now closed (must park before, but not block, the gate).
Charlies Lake Trail
Difficulty: Difficult (terrain, hills, navigation). View elevation profile. Facilities: None. Signage: Unmarked, sparse signage & maps. Features: Challenging 4km (2hour) loop. Rugged, rocky, hilly landscape with a natural amphitheater-like lookoff. Part of a broader system of trails with plenty to
Cape Split Provincial Park
Difficulty: Difficult (distance, periodic 4-5° sloping incline/declines). Facilities: Parking lot, toilets. Signage: Trail markers & info kiosk at the trailhead, well marked and signed throughout. Features: 13.5km (4-5 hour return trip) of forested trails with spectacular coastal views. New "Scots Bay
The Bluff Wilderness Trail
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult (Distance/Terrain). 4 stacked loops (~4 hours each). Facilities: Parking, bike rack, and garbage cans at the trailhead. Signage: Info kiosk at the trailhead, periodic maps, and trail markings throughout. Categories: #Backcountry, #Full-Day, #Lake, #Lookoff, #Nature-Reserve, #Old-Growth, #Paddling,
Blue Mountain Hiking Trail
Difficulty: Difficult (terrain/navigation). View elevation profile. Facilities: None. Signage: None. Features: The highest point of Halifax's Chebucto Peninsula. Part of the #Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area. A rugged 3.5km (~1 hour) return trip to the top & back. Tags: #Blue
Blomidon Provincial Park
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (hills, rugged terrain, distance). Facilities: Parking, camping, washrooms. Signage: Adequate signage throughout. Features: Over 10km of hiking trails with views of the Minas Basin. Home to some of the world's highest tides. Fully equipped provincial park campground (click
Belchers Marsh Park
Difficulty: Easy. Setting: Urban marsh, pond, gravel paths. Facilities: Benches, garbage cans, dog bag dispensers. Signage: Educational info panels, maps, and signs. Features: An easy, #Accessible trail for all. Great look-off in the middle of the marsh, an ideal spot for birdwatching.
Bedford-Sackville Greenway Trail
Difficulty: Easy. Facilities: Parking, benches, dog waste bags, garbage cans. Signage: Plenty of info panels signs and maps. Features: Follows 4km of the Sackville River. Multi-use, active transportation route between Bedford & Sackville with direct access to sports fields. Educational